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Training today’s residents for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Civic Engagement

Empowers all residents to understand their rights, engage with government, and contribute to community decision-making.

Empowering Communities Through Knowledge, Voice & Participation

ACFC’s civic engagement initiative builds pathways to civic power through education, dialogue, and action. We connect residents with the knowledge and resources they need to participate fully in democratic life—from learning English and understanding local government to registering to vote and engaging with elected officials.

Civic engagement is at the heart of healthy, thriving communities. America Community Facelift (ACFC) believes that every resident—regardless of background, language, or immigration status—deserves access to civic knowledge, voting rights, and opportunities to shape their community. Our civic programs create inclusive spaces for learning, dialogue, and democratic participation.

Comprehensive Civic Education & Community Integration

ACFC’s civic engagement work encompasses multiple pathways to participation. As a nonprofit facilitator, we coordinate educational programming in partnership with civic organizations, ESL instructors, legal professionals, and government representatives. Our initiatives are designed to meet residents where they are and provide the tools, knowledge, and support needed for active civic life.

1

English Language & Civic Education

We provide ESL instruction focused on civic vocabulary and real-world scenarios, helping New Americans build language skills while learning about U.S. government, rights, and responsibilities.

2

Civic Knowledge & Government Education

Interactive workshops and educational sessions that demystify government structures, explain how local decisions impact daily life, and teach residents how to engage with elected officials.

3

Nonpartisan Voter Education

Strictly nonpartisan programs that increase voter registration, provide ballot education, and help residents understand how to evaluate candidates and issues based on their own values.

4

Community Integration & Storytelling

Programs that connect New Americans with longtime residents through shared stories, cultural exchange, and collaborative civic activities that build understanding and community bonds.

5

Citizenship Pathway Support

Comprehensive support for residents pursuing U.S. citizenship, including application assistance, civics test preparation, and connections to legal resources—all provided through partnerships with qualified professionals.

6

Sustained Civic Engagement

Building long-term civic habits and connections that extend beyond single programs, helping residents become ongoing participants in community decision-making and democratic processes.

Programs UNDER Civic Engagement

Our civic engagement programs operate primarily from Serenity Space, ACFC's community hub designed for learning, dialogue, and community building. We also partner with libraries, community centers, and civic institutions to ensure accessibility and reach across diverse neighborhoods.

  • Coordinate educational programming in partnership with qualified ESL instructors, civic educators, and legal professionals
  • Facilitate connections to licensed immigration attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, and nonpartisan civic organizations
  • Create welcoming spaces for learning, dialogue, and community building at Serenity Space and partner locations
  • Provide nonpartisan voter education in strict compliance with 501(c)(3) regulations prohibiting political campaign intervention
  • Support community integration through storytelling, cultural exchange, and civic site tours
  • Ensure safe, inclusive programming with appropriate supervision, confidentiality protections, and liability coverage

 

Important: All legal assistance is provided through partnerships with qualified attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives. ACFC does not provide legal advice. All voter education programming is strictly nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates or political parties.

Bridge & Build: Civic Integration & Storytelling Program

Empowering New Americans Through Education & Connection

Bridge & Build is a multi-phase initiative that empowers New Americans through English language learning, civic education, and community storytelling. Rooted in Columbus history and neighborhood pride, the program fosters belonging, dialogue, and active citizenship—with a guided path toward U.S. citizenship.

Program Goals

Strengthen English proficiency through culturally relevant instruction.

Educate participants on U.S. civic systems and local government.

Connect New Americans with longtime residents through shared stories.

Foster pride in Columbus through guided tours of historic political sites.

Provide a clear, supported pathway toward naturalization and civic participation.

Program Components

  • Weekly ESL classes focused on real-life civic vocabulary and scenarios.
  • Role-play activities: voting, attending public meetings, reading signage.
  • Materials include translated city forms, maps, and local news articles.
  • Sessions on U.S. government structure, local elections, and public services.
  • Guest speakers: city council members, librarians, community advocates.
  • Interactive games and quizzes to reinforce learning.
  • Guided visits to: Ohio Statehouse, City Hall, neighborhood landmarks.
  • Includes storytelling prompts and photo documentation.
  • Facilitated gatherings where New Americans and longtime residents share personal journeys.
  • Prompts include: “My first day in Columbus,” “What I miss,” “What I’ve built here”.
  • Stories may be recorded, transcribed, and shared in community newsletters.
  • Intro to Naturalization: Overview of eligibility, timelines, and benefits.
  • Application Clinics: Partner-led sessions to assist with N-400 forms and fee waivers.
  • Study Groups: Preparation for the civics test and interview.
  • Legal Referrals: Connections to trusted immigration attorneys and DOJ-accredited reps.
  • Celebration Circle: Recognition of newly naturalized citizens.
  • Culminating event with story displays, cultural dishes, and civic resource booths.
  • Participants receive certificates and are invited to join ACFC’s volunteer corps.

Program Logistics

Schedule12 weeks (with optional seasonal extensions)
LocationSerenity Space, local libraries, and outdoor civic sites
AudienceNew Americans (ages 16+), open to all immigration statuses
PartnersESL instructors, city departments, legal clinics, cultural organizations

Program Safety & Oversight

  • Facilitation Role: ACFC serves as program facilitator, coordinating civic education in partnership with ESL instructors, legal professionals, and government representatives.
  • Professional Instruction: ESL classes taught by qualified instructors; legal clinics conducted by DOJ-accredited representatives or licensed immigration attorneys.
  • Age Requirements: Program open to participants ages 16 and above.
  • Confidentiality: All immigration status information kept strictly confidential; safe space policy enforced.
  • Transportation Safety: For off-site tours, organized group transportation provided with appropriate supervision and safety protocols.
  • Participant Consent: All participants (or parents/guardians for minors) complete program agreements and photo/story release forms.
  • Legal Referrals: ACFC provides connections to qualified legal professionals but does not provide legal advice directly.
  • Liability Coverage: Comprehensive insurance maintained for all program activities and off-site educational visits.

Know Your Vote: Local Power, Informed Voice

Nonpartisan Civic Education for Engaged Citizens

Know Your Vote is a nonpartisan civic education initiative that empowers residents to understand local elections, evaluate candidates, and engage with legislation. Through workshops, candidate forums, and voter education sessions, participants gain the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions at the ballot box and beyond.

Program Goals

Increase voter registration and turnout in local elections.

Educate residents on how local government affects their daily lives.

Provide nonpartisan tools for evaluating candidates and ballot measures.

Foster informed civic participation and community dialogue.

Demystify the voting process and increase accessibility.

Program Components

  • Interactive sessions on city council, school board, county commissioners, and judicial races.
  • How local tax levies and bond issues impact neighborhoods.
  • Understanding the chain: local decisions to state and federal policy.
  • Guest speakers from city departments and nonpartisan civic organizations.
  • On-site voter registration drives with trained assistants.
  • Information on early voting, absentee ballots, and polling locations.
  • Multilingual voter guides and translated ballot materials.
  • Transportation assistance coordination for Election Day.
  • ID requirement guidance and voter rights education.
  • Nonpartisan candidate forums for local races (city council, school board, judges).
  • Issue briefings on ballot measures and levies.
  • Q&A sessions where residents can ask questions directly.
  • Fact sheets with candidate positions and issue summaries.
  • All forums conducted with strict nonpartisan facilitation
  • .
  • Step-by-step walkthrough of sample ballots before elections.
  • Explanation of each race, candidate, and measure on the ballot.
  • Nonpartisan analysis of ballot language and fiscal impacts.
  • Practice ballots and marking tutorials.
  • Resources for independent research and fact-checking.
  • How to contact elected officials and attend public meetings.
  • Understanding public comment periods and community input processes.
  • Building civic habits: following local news, joining civic groups.
  • Connecting with advocacy organizations aligned with personal values.
  • Poll monitoring and voter assistance (nonpartisan).
  • Voter hotline for questions and issue reporting.
  • Post-election community gathering to discuss results and next steps.
  • Recognition for first-time voters and civic champions.

Program Logistics

ScheduleYear-round with intensified programming 3 months before elections
LocationSerenity Space, local libraries, community centers, and virtual options
AudienceAll residents ages 18+, with special outreach to first-time voters and New Americans
PartnersCounty Board of Elections, League of Women Voters, nonpartisan civic organizations, libraries

Program Safety & Oversight

  • 501(c)(3) Compliance: As a tax-exempt nonprofit, ACFC strictly adheres to IRS regulations prohibiting political campaign intervention.
  • Nonpartisan Facilitation: All candidate forums, voter education sessions, and civic programming conducted with strict neutrality.
  • No Endorsements: ACFC does not endorse, support, or oppose any candidate, political party, or ballot measure.
  • Balanced Programming: All candidates invited equally to forums; issue education presents multiple perspectives.
  • Voter Registration: Registration assistance provided in compliance with county Board of Elections guidelines.
  • Age Requirements: Voter registration and education programs open to residents ages 18 and above; youth civic education available for ages 16-17.
  • Trained Facilitators: All voter registration assistants and forum moderators receive training on nonpartisan standards.
  • Accessibility Standards: All programming meets ADA accessibility requirements; multilingual materials provided.
  • Documentation: Participants sign acknowledgment of nonpartisan nature of programming.

Strengthen democratic participation and civic knowledge.

Measuring Civic Impact

We track success through comprehensive metrics across both programs:

ESL Completion

  • Participants completing English language modules.

Civic Site Visits

  • Tours to government buildings and historic sites.

Citizenship Support

  • Citizenship applications supported.

Voter Registration

  • New voter registrations facilitated.

Forum Attendance

  • Residents attending candidate forums and issue briefings.

Civic Engagement

  • Participants attending public meetings post-program.
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